How to disable or remove unnecessary programs on Xiaomi: safe ways

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their value for money, but many users face the same problem: an overabundance of pre-installed apps, which, from MIUI-branded services to partner utilities, take up precious memory, consume battery power, and sometimes even collect data in the background. Fortunately, most of them can be disabled or deleted without harming the system.

In this article, we’ll look at all the available methods, from standard MIUI settings to advanced ADB techniques. You’ll learn which apps can be safely deactivated and which ones are best left behind so as not to disrupt your smartphone.

It's important to understand that not all "unnecessary" programs are really useless. Some Xiaomi system services are responsible for security updates, gestures, or even communication with the company's servers. For example, the com.miui.systemAdSolution app manages the blocking of ads in MIUI, and its removal will lead to banners in the system menus, so before any manipulation, it is worthwhile to carefully study the function of each component.

Why are there so many pre-installed apps on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi has partnered with dozens of partners whose services are integrated into MIUI firmware, which allows users to monetize devices through advertising and affiliate programs while keeping the user’s price low.

• 📱 Branded services: Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Community.
• 💰 Partner Utilities: Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn, Booking.com (depending on the region).
• 🔧 System components: com.miui.analytics, com.xiaomi.midrop, com.miui.cleanmaster.
• 📊 Advertising modules: com.miui.systemAdSolution, com.xiaomi.mipicks.

According to MIUI 14 firmware analysis, up to 40% of preinstalled applications can be disabled without system consequences, but some of them — for example, com.android.cts.ctsshim or com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice — are critical to modem operation or security, and their removal can lead to network loss or inability to updates.

Another reason for the overload is regional variations, such as Indian Xiaomi versions often pre-installed Paytm and Gaana, and European versions with Spotify and WPS Office, and even if you bought a smartphone from an official store, the firmware may contain applications that are unnecessary for your region.

Method 1: Disabling applications through MIUI settings

The safest and easiest method is to deactivate unnecessary programs through the standard menu, which does not require superuser rights and is reversible: if necessary, the application can be turned on again.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is system-based and cannot be deactivated via the menu).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Disable the application.

After deactivation, the annex:

• 🚫 Disappears from the menu and desktop.
• ⏸️ It will stop running in the background.
• 📉 No updates will be received through the Play Market.
• 🔄 It can be turned back on at any time.

Create a backup copy of important data

Check the list of system applications (don’t disable critical ones)

Close all background processes

Reboot your smartphone after the changes-->

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all applications can be disabled (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter).
• ❌ Does not free up space in memory (application files remain on the device).
• ❌ Some services (such as Mi Cloud) may automatically turn on after an update.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable apps with names that contain Android, Google, Qualcomm or Media.This can cause the camera, mobile network or multimedia to fail.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root)

If the shutdown is not enough, you can completely remove unnecessary programs using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method does not require root rights, but will require connecting the smartphone to the computer.

Preparation:

1. Download ADB Tools for your OS.
2. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional settings → For Developers).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.

List of safe packets to remove (for MIUI 14):

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser          # Mi Browser


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video              # Mi Video




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.music              # Mi Music




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop           # Mi Drop




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics # MIUI Analytics




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks #GetApps (theme store)




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleanup (duplicates the standard)

How it works:

• 🔧 Team pm uninstall -k --user 0 removes the application only for the current user (without affecting system files).
• 🔄 To return the application, use the CMD package install-existing <packet>.
• 📌 All packages can be accessed by the pm list packages command. | grep 'miui'.

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.miui.systemAdSolution will result in ads in the system menus (such as Wi-Fi settings). If you want to get rid of ads, you should use patches through Magisk or Xiaomi modules. ADB/Fastboot Tools.

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Before mass packet removal, back up adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab. This will allow you to restore applications if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

For those who don’t want to manually type ADB commands, there is Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools utility.It provides a graphical interface for packet management and offers pre-prepared lists of secure apps to remove.

The advantages of the utility:

• 🎯 Automatic definition of model and version MIUI.
• 📋 Ready lists of “junk” applications for different regions.
• 🔄 Create a Recovery Point Before Change.
• 🛠️ Additional functions: debloating, unlocking the loader, installation TWRP.

Instructions:

1. Download Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume down + Power when the phone is off).
3. Run XiaomiADBFastbootTools.exe and select your model.
4. Go to Debloat and check for unnecessary apps.
5. Press Remove selected and wait until it is completed.

Features:

• 🔹 The utility supports more than 200 models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.
• 🔹 Built-in critical packet check (will not remove important system components).
• 🔹 You can export a list of remote applications for reuse.

Method 4: root rights and system tools (for experienced)

If you're willing to take risks, getting root rights will give you full control of the system.

• 🗑️ Remove any applications, including system.
• 🔧 Edit build.prop files to disable services.
• 🛡️ Block ads at hosts level.
• 🔄 Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).

The most popular way to get root on Xiaomi is to use Magisk. The process involves:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7 days).
2. Installation of custom TWRP Recovery.
3. Magisk firmware via TWRP.

After obtaining the root, you can use:

• 📌 Titanium Backup – to freeze or delete any packets.
• 📌 SD Maid – for cleaning system debris.
• 📌 AdAway – to block ads.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights resets all data on the device: 🚫 Loss of warranty (official service centers refuse repairs). 🚫 Mi Pay, Google Pay and banking applications (due to SafetyNet). 🚫 Problems with OTA-Updates (you will need to install the firmware manually).

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root rights give you maximum freedom, but require technical knowledge. If you are a beginner, it is better to limit yourself to methods without root (ADB or disconnect via settings).

What apps can be safely removed?

Below is a list of applications that do not affect the stability of the system and can be removed or disabled. MIUI 13/14 and most models Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.

Applications that cannot be removed:

• 🚫 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (responsible for permissions and antivirus).
• 🚫 com.android.settings – System settings.
• 🚫 com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice – the work of the mobile network.
• 🚫 Google.com.google.android.gsf – Google services (without them will not work Play Market).

If you are in doubt about whether you can uninstall a particular app, check its feature through AppBrain or look for information on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.

What to do if the application is not removed?

Sometimes, even with ADB, you can't delete some packets, and then you can try alternative methods:

• 🔹 Titanium Backup Freeze: The app stays in the system but does not start.
• 🔹 Blocking through AppOps: Install AppOps from Play Market.Find the unnecessary app and disable all permissions.

Use of Magisk modules

• 📌 Universal Debloater – Deletes predefined packets.
• 📌 Xiaomi Debloater – a specialized module for MIUI.

build.prop

ro.config.nocheckin=1 # Disables update check


pm.blocklist=com.miui.analytics #Blocks Analytics Launch

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), a radical solution, but it will completely eliminate the pre-installed Xiaomi apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi